Benedictine abbey of Mariastein

Mariastein Abbey (Kloster Mariastein) stands in Metzerlen-Mariastein, in the canton of Solothurn in north-western Switzerland. It is a working Benedictine monastery and a Marian shrine, ranked as the country's second most important pilgrimage destination after Einsiedeln.

How did Mariastein begin?

The pilgrimage grew from a medieval rock chapel. The earliest documented mention dates from 1434, and an account from 1442 matches the grotto chapel visible today. Monastery tradition places its founding around 1380, after a shepherd boy fell from the cliff and was said to have been saved by the Virgin Mary. A second such "fall miracle", in 1541, is considered historically attested.

The Benedictines arrived from Beinwil. Monks from that abbey took over pastoral care of the shrine in 1636, and in 1648, under Abbot Fintan Kieffer, the whole community moved to Mariastein. Beinwil itself dates to around 1100; the older founding years of 1085 and 1124 are rejected by historians.

What can you see here?

• The Chapel of Grace (Gnadenkapelle), set in a large natural rock grotto roughly fourteen metres below the present monastery buildings. It is the spiritual centre of the pilgrimage.
• The basilica, built above the grotto. Its foundation stone was laid on 4 October 1648 and it was consecrated in 1655. It is a late Gothic three-aisled church with a Baroque interior and a Neoclassical entrance facade from 1834.
• The monastery complex, constructed between 1648 and 1655 and under cantonal heritage protection since 1944. The canton has also co-funded restoration of the basilica's north facade and east choir facade.

When should you visit?

Mariastein is an active place of prayer, so quiet and respect for pilgrims apply in every season. Check service and visiting times on the abbey's website before you travel. The grotto stays cool even on hot days, so bring an extra layer.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mariastein Abbey?

In the municipality of Metzerlen-Mariastein, canton of Solothurn, in north-western Switzerland, on a hillside above the Leimental valley.

Is it still a working monastery?

Yes. A Benedictine community lives here and the shrine continues to receive pilgrims.

When was the basilica built?

The foundation stone was laid in 1648 and the church was consecrated in 1655. The present facade dates from 1834.

What sets Mariastein apart from other shrines?

Its Chapel of Grace sits in a natural rock grotto beneath the basilica. Only Einsiedeln draws more pilgrims in Switzerland.